Hi from Oz. I was at a local country gunshow last weekend and came across a Soper match rifle in .461 No.1 Gibbs. A real surprise to see something like this surface. We see military Sopers in .577/.450 occasionally but never a match rifle. The tang & windgauge sight were true works of art. Thought you boys would like to see it.
Spud

... very cool! ... and I am glad you got photos of the sights.  Many of the English actions had dual purposes, military and sporting, and its always interesting to see sporting rifles, especially match grade, made on these actions.

Thanks for sharing ...
Joe

Neat rifles, both of 'em. Thanks fellows.
Old-Win, you'd like to shoot one in a match, but I'd be tickled to bits just to see one, let alone fire it.

I owned a Sporting Soper, back in the '80's. They are remarkable rifles!!

When you push the Hepburn looking lever down, it both swings the breech block open and cocks the hammer.

Mine was in 450 #2 BP Express and only weighed about 7 1/2 to 8 lb Max. It was profusely engraved, even the tips of the screws where engraved, where they showed.

It was overall, in excellent condition, with the exception that the bore was very washed out and not shootable. I kept it for awhile, thinking that I would replace the barrel, but the barrel was engraved and marked so, I thought I'd not ruin it's collector value and passed it on.

They are fairly rare and I guess I should have kept it but, I like to shoot my rifles, this one wasn't shootable and the recoil would have brought on my shoulder surgery, much sooner.

Frank

Up until, at least 1988, you could buy barreled, Soper actions, in the white, somewhere in the Bay area. 

After I sold mine, it was copied and that copy was put up for sale, for $2800, in about 1987. They may have been listed in the old Single Shot News.

Frank

Old Win....regarding price, it is in an upcoming national auction here and the vendor was showing it to build some interest. I think the reserve is about $Oz 6-7,000 (about $US 5,500) but I reckon it could go for more being such a rare beast. As you well know it all depends on the day and how badly people want it. I'll be there on the day to watch the fun!

For more information on the Soper, see chapter 22 of Frank de Haas's "More Single Shot Rifles & Actions". Good detail and he also mentions those actions that several of you referred to.
Spud

Greg  I definitely will I plan on doing the molds this fall so should have some castings by next spring. I have a couple of others that want one too. It will be a advanced project to do.

another view it is a wonderful action fast to operate, load a cartridge and pull the trigger and the block falls before the hammer strikes the firing pin. Press the lever smartly and the case ejects and repeat.